With additional yards signs in hand, Darren Musselwhite prepares for his mayoral runoff in Southaven against Jerald Wheeler. Musselwhite and Wheeler were the top two Republican candidates in Tuesday’s primary election.

At his campaign headquarters, Jerald Wheeler discusses campaign details with manager Chris Connolly for his mayoral runoff in Southaven against Darren Musselwhite. Wheeler and Musselwhite were the top two Republican candidates in Tuesday’s primary election.

Southaven's primary election Tuesday was not only about who won or advanced to politic another day, but it was also about who lost.

Unofficial, but complete results show that three of the longest-serving aldermen on the board were ousted by voters in the Republican primary.

Ward 1 Alderwoman Lorine Cady, the senior most member of the board with 28 years, received 196 votes to finish last behind two political newcomers who are headed to a runoff in two weeks.

Ward 5 Alderman Ricky Jobes, the second longest-serving member with 20 years, received 195 votes, and finished in third place in his five-man race that is also headed to a runoff with political neophytes.

And in the city's largest ward, Ward 6 Alderman Randall Huling, elected to the board in 1997, received 317 votes, edged out of a runoff by 153 votes.

At-large Alderman Greg Guy, who has also been on the board for 16 years, chose not to seek re-election.

With incumbent Mayor Greg Davis, the last long-term leader still standing, what does the anti-incumbent message sent by voters mean for him as he seeks his 20th year in office?

"Certainly as the old guard is concerned, I don't think it would be that surprising that they lost," said Marty Wiseman, director of the John C. Stennis Institute of Government at Mississippi State. "I imagine a lot of people were saying these folks bear some of the responsibility for Greg Davis' spending. Maybe they didn't do anything illegal, but they did not do their due diligence and we need to send a message that we want people that will."

As for the Davis' re-election bid, Wiseman said it will be a closely watched race in the state.

"What will be interesting is, Southaven is a conservative place in the middle of a conservative Republican county," Wiseman said. "Now Davis is openly gay, running as an independent rather than a Republican. It will be interesting to see if an openly gay office holder can get enough votes to be competitive if not win."

He added, "I think this election is going to be a barometer for a new way of looking at things for the state of Mississippi."

Davis will face Democrat Coria Williams and the winner of the Republican runoff in the June 4 general election.

Davis said the incumbent losses in Tuesday's primary is part of living in a democracy.

"That's the great thing about America, on election day people get to make a decision," Davis said. "I think voters are looking at each race independently and will make their decision based on who they feel is most qualified to fill the spot."

He pointed to voter apathy as one of the factors some incumbents lost.

"Overall, you are looking at about the same numbers of those that voted 10 years ago," he said about voter turnout in the primary.

In Tuesday's election, turnout was low with only 20 percent of registered voters going to the polls. Southaven City Clerk Sheila Heath said 5,000 to 6,000 people voting in the city has been the norm over the last few elections.

"We were expecting a lot more in this election," she said. "With the runoff we expect the number to drop, and then there will be more interest with the general election. That is the way it has typically gone."